On average, 40% of drivers in Ukraine use a seat belt when driving.

On October 24, 2023, the results of the study "The level of seat belt use among drivers in the cities of Ukraine" were presented at the premises of Ukrinform. Its organizers are the public organizations "Center for Democracy and the Rule of Law" (CEDEM) and "Vision Zero". The project was carried out as part of the "For Safe Roads" Campaign.

On average, 40% of drivers use seat belts. On the other hand, about 60% still do not use this safety device during trips. The research sample consisted of 30,260 drivers in 18 regional centers. The study was conducted in cities that are far from the zone of active hostilities.

However, such numbers indicate positive dynamics. In 2020, the average rate of seat belt use was 26.04% . According to the results of this year's measurements, the increase was +14.1%

According to the results of the study, in 2020, none of the cities had even half of the drivers who used seat belts. Instead, in 2023, four cities immediately reached this mark: Kyiv, Lviv, Zhytomyr and Rivne. In other 14 cities, the number of drivers wearing seat belts also increased, only in Odesa and Mykolaiv it decreased.

Despite the fact that the level of use of seat belts in cities has increased, more than half of car drivers still ignore them, exposing themselves to additional danger every time they use a car.

The Campaign "For Safe Roads" points out that it is necessary not to stop at what has been achieved.

"Despite the positive dynamics, more than half of the drivers in the cities of Ukraine (59.86%) still do not comply with the requirements of the Traffic Rules for the mandatory use of seat belts. Ukraine should strive to reach the level of 100%. To achieve this goal, we must work then - civil society and state authorities." - commented on the results of the study Viktor Zagreba , coordinator of the Campaign "For Safe Roads" and chairman of the board of the public organization "Vision Zero" .

CEDEM adds that there is a simple way for the public to influence the level of seat belt use: to fasten yourself and encourage others who are currently riding in the car with you to do so. At the same time, it is worth telling briefly why it should be done, debunking the most popular myths about the use of seat belts. Their refutation is described at this link https://cedem.org.ua/infographics/mify-remeni-bezpeky/